These events and places–just a small sampling of the many programs and lectures out there–allow you to stretch those intellectual muscles:
1. If Albert Einstein had a crew: At Fermilab, where scientists research high-energy physics, there’s also an initiative to keep the lay people informed and entertained through art exhibits, music performances and lecture series; it’s all relative (get it?). Tom Skilling, WGN-TV’s meteorologist, will moderate the “Tornado and Severe Storm” seminar at 1 and 7 p.m. April 3. Guest speakers will include Gino Izzi from the National Weather Service and Dr. Joe Schaefer from the Storm Prediction Center.
Fermilab Ramsey Auditorium, Pine Street and Kirk Road, Batavia; free; 630-840-2247.
2. The Jewish experience: The Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies’ Jerusalem Lecture series has an interesting program coming up: Cardinal Francis George talks about “Jews, Catholics and American Culture” at 7 p.m. Feb. 21. The annual Jerusalem Lecture creates dialogue between Chicago Catholic and Jewish communities by discussing theological issues affecting their relationship.
Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3760 N. Pine Grove Ave.; free, reservations requested; 312-322-1743.
3. “Great Conversations”: Virtually everyone chit chats on their cell phones these days. Come in from the noise and listen to something interesting. Martha Nussbaum, the Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor in the Law School, Department of Philosophy and Divinity School at the University of Chicago (yeah, it sounds intimidating, but don’t be scared; it’s just talk), leads a conversation on “Creativity and Public Philosophy: Abstract Theories and Concrete Problems” at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Graham School of General Studies.
Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive; $20; 773-702-1722.
4. Theater’s history: The Chicago Historical Society’s public historian Josh Eisenberg acknowledges that the museum’s mission is historical. “The other thing we are trying to do is challenge people to go beyond the normal history exhibition,” he says. That’s why the historical society does lectures, which need to be interactive. The Goodman Theatre’s Chuck Smith talks on the book he edited on African-American playwriting, “Seven Black Plays,” 2 p.m. Feb. 20.
The Chicago Historical Society, 1601 N. Clark St.; $1-$5 general admission; 312-642-4600.
5. Thinking the thoughts and then talking the talk: When we found an ad for The Philosophy Institute, we were encouraged by the slogan: “no prior knowledge of philosophy required.” Whew. Programs on such topics as “Who Was Socrates?” or “Exploring the Possibility of Genuine Community” are scheduled to resume this month.
773-764-8926. www.thephilosophyinstitute.org.
6. They got it in print: The Smart Museum’s newest exhibit, “Paper Museums: The Reproductive Print in Europe, 1500-1800,” looks at print techniques and the history of prints in this era of technology. Related programming takes place throughout the exhibit’s run (May 15), including a two-day free symposium April 1-2.
Advanced registration required at www.smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/papermuseums or 773-834-1210; events take place at various locations.
7. A real destination for intellectual pursuits: To master the art of the intellect doesn’t take a doctorate or master’s degree, according to Mary Janzen, manager of public programming at the Newberry Library. “You have to be curious and enjoy learning new things,” she said. “Some of the most productive people have been autodidacts. It’s people who have never stopped having that child’s wonder of learning new things, and they come in all ages.” (The Newberry’s programs are recommended for adults, however.) Janzen highly recommends the upcoming Black History Month programming (through April 16) and the Shakespeare Project theatrical readings (through April 23).
Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; some events require a fee; 312-943-9090.
8. Talking about AIDS: The African-American Alumni Association of DePaul University is hosting the “African American Perspective on AIDS” panel discussion at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 to talk about the affect of AIDS on Chicago’s African-American community.
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; free; 800-437-1898.
9. Acanthus and gardens: If you don’t know the genus name for your geraniums, get the ins and outs of foliage, shrubbery and more at symposiums and classes at the Chicago Botanic Garden and Morton Arboretum. The “Woody Plants Symposium: Reclaim Your Woodlands,” at the Botanic Garden, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 25, will address understanding and preserving the woods and forests. The Midwest Gardening Symposium, a treasure trove of horticulture talk, is March 10-13 at the arboretum.
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, free general admission, $10 per car fee, $149 for symposium, 847-835-5540 (general information), 847-385-8261 (symposium registration); Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle, $5 general admission, costs vary for symposium; 630-968-0074.
10. “Writers on the Record”: Victoria Lautman is making sure the literary community doesn’t pass over Chicago. “There was nowhere in Chicago for major internationally known artists to talk about their work to an audience,” she said. “I thought if I could create something with real synergy that could fire in a lot of different cylinders how great would that be.” The audience gets to chat it up with the writers at the Lookkingglass Theatre (the afternoon series is broadcast live on WFMT-FM 98.7). On Feb. 20 (noon-1 p.m.), Mark Kurlansky, a New York Times best-selling author, will discuss his “1968: The Year That Rocked the World.”
Lookkingglass Theatre, Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.; free, reservations required; 312-832-6789 or 312-832-6788.
11. Keep your head in the clouds: The Adler Planetarium explores the wonders of the sky through such programs as “The Future of Human Exploration class” at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Jim Plaxco, a space activist for nearly 20 years, will discuss the long-term mission for NASA. “The class will be an overview of all the components of the [NASA] plan as well as why it is a good idea,” he says.
Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive; $25 class fee; 312-922-7827.
12. Iron men: Revisit the mysteries of ancient civilizations at the Oriental Institute Museum. “Kingdoms of Ivory, Kingdoms of Iron: Opulence and Empire in the Ancient Near East,” a daylong symposium March 5, looks at the ancient kingdoms from the Tigris to the Nile that found common ground through trading goods of opulence and splendor.
Oriental Institute Museum, 1155 E. 58th St.; $79 symposium fee; 773-702-9507.
13. Listen to right brainers recite poetry: The DvA Gallery’s First Fridays Poetry Nite will feature Jan Bottiglieri at 8 p.m. tonight; Myopic Books’ poetry series on Sundays will have poets Erika Mikkalo and Kristen Bowen at 7 p.m. Sunday.
DvA Gallery, 2568 N. Lincoln Ave., free, (complimentary water and Intelligentsia coffee served), 773-871-4382; Myopic Books, 1564 N. Milwaukee Ave., free, 773-862-4882.
14. Scholars, British version: Delve into the life and works of William Morris at Northwestern University’s Block Museum’s all-day symposium Feb. 12, which features scholars investigating Morris’s impact on culture in late 19th Century Britain.
Block Museum of Art, Pick-Laudati Auditorium, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston; free; 847-491-4000.
15. The humanity of it all: The Chicago Humanities Festival strives to make cultural, artistic and educational endeavors a part of everyday life. Though the hub of programming occurs in during the fall festival, check the CHF’s Web site for events throughout the year.
Chicago Humanities Festival; www.chfestival.org.
16. The Un-Hollywood secret: The After Hours Film Society offers art, independent and foreign films. The society meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of the month and holds an informative discussion after each movie. On Feb. 14, “Vera Drake” will be shown.
After Hours Film Society, Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove; $8; 630-968-0219.
17. If you are electronically-inclined: At the buddY gallery, they “foster a habitat and cultural space for emerging accidents, radical culture and intentional community organizing.” A perfect place for experimental sound artists to perform. “It varies on what you might hear from the sound of water running to a building being demolished,” said Blake Edwards, organizer of the “defeating the cold with deafness” Feb. 26 performance at buddY. On the bill: Rotten Milk, Vertonen, Death Factory, and making his Chicago premiere, Bloodyminded.
buddY, 1542 N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd floor; $5; 773-342-7332. www.lumpen.com/buddy/yes.html.
18. Shhh!!!: One of the oldest resources for brain food is still one of the most vital–your local library.
